Adjustable bearing retainer assembly



April 7 1953 w. J. cHlEvlTz 2,634,178

ADJUSTABLE BEARING RETAINER ASSEMBLY Filed Feb. 4, 1952 INVENTOR. WILUAM J. CHlr-:vl'rz Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFlCE ADJUSTABLE BEARING RETAINER ASSEMBLY William J. `Chievitz, Canton, Ohio,l.assgnor to Theliinken Roller Bearing Company, Canton, ,-Olio,a corporation of Ohio Application February 4, 1952, Serial No. 269,859:

9 Claims. (C1. 308-9207) In .the known constructions, the bearings Yare It is necessary to use smallscrews or pins'in an eiiort to hold'the. ring segments :in their correct relative positions, and, if `the grooves .in which they are disposedv permit an appreciable. amount of axial play, or if the ring .segments merely shift circumferentially "to Vclose one saw cut,A the threads willnot register'.V Consequently, it is very diiilcultV and ofttimes'impossible` to start` theadjusting nutonthe externally threaded split ring.

Itis an objectof :the presentinventiontherefore, to provide a novel' adjustable bearing. re'` f tainer assembly in whichth'e adjusting nut is threaded onto a member which contains continuous'external threads` More p-articularlmit is an objectrto'provide such an assembly'whichem-i ploys a solid externally? `threaded adjusting ring on which the adjusting nut can be easily and quickly threaded, `and Which .can be slippedv into position over theffreeyend of themill roll neck.

Another object is to providea novel adjustable bearing `retainer' assembly which; contains: rela-f tively few parts which are simple: in construction and .capableof being.: installed easily, .and quickly `Without having to -use special tools. i,

The adjustable bearingf retainervassembly which is the; subject vmattei' of the; present, invention. is mounted on the Vend-of a shaft which'is rotatably mounted in a supporting housing and which has bearing means interposed; betweenthe shaft andthe-housing; and, ,briefly includesa thrust ring which is keyed-,tothe shaft `and ldisposed against the outer end tof `the bearingf means an annular adjusting ring/having continuous external f threads and keyedV to -the shaft adjacent thefthrust ring.; :a split backing4 ring disposed in a groovein; the .shaftnnd .againstthe adjusting 2 ring; and an adjusting -nut threadedly mounted on the adjusting ring so as to bear against the thrust ring,` there being inter-engaging means between the adjusting nut and thrust ring, to selectivelylock them together in adjusted rotated position.

In thev drawing:

Fig. y1 is a vertical diametrical sectional View lofen adjustablebearing .retainer assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, shown mounted on a conventional mill roll.: neck, tha-latter being shown in elevation;

Fig. 2 is a vertical Vtransverse sectional `vevv taken on the line.2-2 in Fig.v 1, and

Fig.` 3 is a vertical transverse sectionalview taken on the vline l3--3in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing more `particularly by reference numerals, IB indicates generally an adjustable bearing retainerA assembly constructed in accordance With the teachings of the present invention, `shown mounted on a mill roll 12.

The mill roll I2 includes a body portion l5 and a neck portion I6 Which is oi reduced diameter so as to provide a shoulder lB,betWeen them. `To- Ward the-'end of the neck portion lthere is a portion of reduced diameter which forms a rst ledge or shelf 25J.' A further reduced portion ad.- jacent theiirst'ledge- 2l! providesa second ledge 22, and immediately adjacent the latter is a circumferential groove` 24 lof'rectangular cross section. I-t Will be noted from Fig. 1 that 'they extremeend` portion oivthe mill neck .I6 -is nol greater Vindiarneter than the outside diameter of the second ledge 22, iora purpose to appear.

An .axially extending key slotZE-is formed in the .bottom part of the roll' neckL It (Fig. 1) .and extends approximately the width.y of the rst and second vshelves 20 land 22. i

Mounted on the roll neck IE against the shoul-y der I8 is a spacing ring'iii: SA bearing assembly 23 is also disposedonthe roll neck 1,6 in abutting rclationshipvvith. the spacing ring 26, and in` cludesa doublelcone inner-raceway 3G, a pluralityofrollerlbearings 32;' cages 3d; and an outer raceway 36. The bearing assembly'is of'c'onventional construction and forme, no part` .of-the present invention.A

Disposed about the" bearing .assembly 28 v is a supporting housing 38 Which contains a plurality of spaced internally threaded openings ,clin its outeriace.

A thrust ring 42v is positioned on the first shelf 2llso asto-be inscontact-With the. outer'. endof thebearinglassembly ZBnandmaintan it in adjusted position against the spacing ring 2S. The thrust ring 62 contains a radially outwardly extending flange portion ill adjacent its inner end and a plurality of spaced cavities i6 in its outer face.

A stepped key di' is disposed in the key slot 25 and the thrust ring 2 is removably fastened thereto by means of a machine screw d8. It will be noted that the length of the key di is slightly less than the length of the slot 25 to permit the key and thrust ring l2 to move together axially a limited distance relative to the roll neck l. However, it will be apparent that the key t? prevents the thrust ring d2 from rotating relative to the roll neck I6.

A thrust ring retainer i9 is removably fastened to the outer face of the bearing housing Sii by means of threaded studs 58 and nuts El, the end of the studs being threadedly disposed in the openings di?. The thrust ring retainer it is in radial alignment with the thrust ring Q2, and contains an axially extending projecting portion 52 which abuts the outer face of the outer raceway 36, and a radially inwardly extending flange portion 5t which is disposed outwardly of the iiange portion @il of the thrust rin-g i2 so as to limit the outward axial movement of the latter.

Disposed on the second ledge 22 of the roll neck it is a solid externally threaded adjusting ring 56 which contains a groove 5S in the inner face thereof which receives the outer end portion of the key lil. Thus, the adjusting ring 55 and the thrust ring i2 are keyed together and to the roll neck IS so as to rotate with it. However, it will be noted that the adjusting ring 55 can move axially relative to the thrust ring i2 even though they are both disposed on the saine key.

Disposed in the groove 2L. in the roll neck it is a smooth split backing ring Sii (Fig. 2) which abuts the threaded adjusting ring 5S so as to l:

limit its outward axial movement. It will be noted from Figi. l that the outside diameter of the backing ring 6G is slightly less than the diameter of the adjusting ring 5s at the base of its threads, for a purpose to appear.

An internally threaded adjusting nut 52 is threadedly disposed on the adjusting ring 5S, and, as shown in Fig. l, the width thereof is greater than the width of the adjusting ring 55 so that it extends over the split ring t@ and vents the outward radial movement of the ring segments.

V A plurality of internally threaded space@l openings ll are contained in the adjusting nut 62 in alignment with the cavities t6, and, disposed in the former are bolts 66 which have smooth free ends projecting into the cavities 66 so as to maintain the adjusting nut 62 in selected rotated position relative to the thrust ring s2 and the adjusting ring 56.

Operation To assemble or replace the adjustable bearing retainer assembly I on the roll neck iii, the key .41 is rst inserted in the key slot 25 and the thrust ring 132 slipped over the end of the roll neck It onto the iirst shelf 2t and onto the key 41. The thrust ring 52 is then fastened to the key 'l by means of the machine screw til.

The thrust ring retainer te is then slipped into position and fastened to the face of the housing by means of the bolts E] and nuts 5i. This locks the thrust ring 42 in position because the radially inwardly extending flange portion 5d of the retainer is outside of the radially outwardly extending flange portion d@ of the ring. However,

4 as previously described, the thrust ring l2 has limited axial movement relative to the roll neck it because of the space between the flange portions and 5d, and because the key 6l is shorter than its slot 25.

rThe solid adjusting ring 5t is then slipped onto the second shelf 22 over the key Lil, the latter preventing the ring 53 from rotating relative to i the roll neck i5 or the thrust ring d2.

The segments of the split backing ring are then disposed in the groove 2d, thereby holding the adjusting ring 56 in position.

While the segments of the split ring 55 are being held in position, the adjusting nut 62 is slipped over them and threaded onto the adjusting ring 55. Because the threads of the adjusting ring 56 are continuous, the adjusting nut 62 can be easily and quickly threaded on it. t will also be noted that the adjusting nut 62 extends over the vsplit ring Saso as to maintain the segments in the groove 2Q.

The adjusting nut t2 is then rotated relative to the adjusting ring 55 so as to move the thrust ring d2 inwardly until the bearing assembly 28 is properly positioned between the spacing ring 2t and the thrust ring d2, the thrust ring t2 bearing against the cuter end of the inner-raceway 32j.

The thrust from the end of the raceway 3G is transmitted through the adjusting nut t2 and adjusting ring 5S to the split backing ring 5t ulhich bears against the outer wall of the groove 2 f.

When the adjusting nut t2 is in the proper rotated position, the bolts S6 are turned inwardly until the smooth ends thereof are disposed in the cavities t8, thereby locking together the adjusting nut t2, the adjusting ring 56, and the thrust ring 12. The cavities it in the thrust ring 5.2 are spaced close enough together to permit relatively fine adjustment of the adjusting nut t2.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided a novel adjustable bearing retainer assembly which fullls all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The externally threaded adjusting ring 5t is solid and has continuous threads so that it is very easy to threadedly engage the adjusting nut @E with it. The backing ring 6@ is split, but because it is smooth and does not have to be in alignment with any other part, it does not make any difference ir the space between the segment ends on one side is different from the space on the other side, or even if the ends on one side are in contact. Furthermore, the segments can even be of diierent thicknesses and different widths and'still operate satisfactorily.

The adjusting nut E2 holds the segments of the split'backing ring @il in position on the roll neck l, both while it is being threaded onto the adjusting ring 5t and after it is in position, so that there is no possibility of having the backing ring segments fall oil the roll neck i 5 once the adjusting nut 652 is started over them.

Furthermore, 'the component parts of the retainer assembly It are relatively few in number and of simpleV construction and can be easily and quickly installed using lstandard tools.

It is to be understood Vthat the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing has been given only by way of illustration and example, and that changes and alterations in the present disclosure, which will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope ofthe present invention which is limited only. by the claims which follow.

asser-.7a3

Whatzis claimediis: 1 Y

` 1. A device vofthertype described;.*comprising` a supporting-housing; 4a shaft havingxanouter end -rotatably mounted inthe housing; bearing means having outerl andinner endsiinterposed.

between the'shaft and the housing; kmean'sslimiting the inward axial movementV of the bearingV means on.' the shaft; ari-"annular memberwith edly mounted on the annular member; and means associated with the nut for en-gaging `the cuter end of 'the bearingmeans whereby the axial positionof the bearing means can be adjusted by relative rotation betweenth'e nut and the annular mem-ber.l

2. lA device'of the type described, comprising a supporting housing; Va shaft having an outer end rotatively mounted in the housing; bearing means having outer and inner ends interposed' between the shaft and the housing; means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing means on the shaft; an annular member with continuous external threads mounted on the shaft adjacent 'the outer end of the bearing means; a segmented ring disposed' yon the shaft in abutting relationship with the threaded annular member; means limiting the outward axial `movement of the segmented ring on the shaft; a nut threadedly mounted on thev annular member; and means associated with the nut for engaging the outerend of the bearing means whereby the axial position of thebe'aring means can be adjusted by relative rotation between the nut and the annular member; the nut extending over'at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limit the outer radial movement of its segments.

3. A device of the type described, comprising a supporting housing; a shaft havinglan outer end'rotatably mounted in the housing; bearing means'having'outer andinner ends interposed between the' shaft and' the housing; means limiting the inward axialmovement of the bearing meansv on the shaft; an annular member with continuous external lthreads mounted on the shaft adjacent the outer end of the bearing means; a segmented ring disposed on the shaft in abutting relationship with the threaded annular member, the outer diameter of the segmented ring being less than the maximum outer diameter of the threaded annular member; means limiting the outward axial movement of the segmented ring on the shaft; a nut threadedly mounted on the annular member, the nut extending over at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limit the outer radial movement of its segments; and means 'associated with the nut for engaging the outer end of the bearing means whereby the l shaft; adjacent their: outer .fend toi :fthe bearing; f' means Wpreventing .rotation V of theathreadedl an-L: nular member relative to theishaft;` a segmented., ring .disposed on the shaft. against ,thethreaded annular member; means limiting the' outwardaxial movement of the segmentedv ring on.- the shaft; a nutthreadedly mounted'onthe. annular member; means l.associated with the nut forengaging the outer end of the bearing means where-- by the .axial position of the bearing means .can

be adjusted by;` rotation ofthe nut relativeto the shaft; and means for selectively locking the nuty in position to prevent it fromrotatingarelative to the shaft.

5. A device/of the typedes-cribed.A comprising a supporting housing; a shaft havingan outer end rotatably mounted in thehousine; bearing means' having outer and innerends interposedibetween the shaft and the housing; means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing meansaon the shaft; a thrust ,ring disposed on the shaft against the outer end ofthe bearing means and having limited axial movement relative vto the shaft; means preventing .rotational movement of the thrust ring relative to the shaft; an annular member with external threads disposed on the shaft adjacent the thrust ring and being free to move axially relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement Aof the annular member relative to the shaft; meanslimiting thev outward axial movementv 0fy the annular mem-.- ber relative to the shaft; a nutthreadedly mounted on the annular member-and adapted to abut the thrust ring to force the latter against the outer end of the bearing means; and 'interengaging means on the nut and the thrust ring tofseleotively iock them together tozprevent` rotation of the nut `relative to the threaded annular mem-` ber.V

6. A device off the type describedfcomprising a supportinghousing; a shaft. having .an outer end rotatably mounted inthe housing; bearing means havingouter and innery ends interposed between .the shaft and the housing; `means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing means on the shaft; a thrust ring disposed on the shaft against the outer end'of the bearing means andihaving limitedaxal movement relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the thrust ring relative to the shaft;

an annular member with external threads disposed on the shaft adjacent the thrust ring and movable axially relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the annular member relative to the shaft; a segmented ring disposed on the shaft against the threaded annular member, the outer diameter of the segmented ring being less than the maximum outer diameter of the annular member; means limiting the outward axial movement of the segmented ring; and a nut threadedly mounted on the annular member and adapted to abut the thrust ring to force lthe latter against the outer end of the bearing, the nut extending over at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limit the outer radial movement of its segments.

'7. A device of the type described, comprising a supporting housing; a shaft having an outer end rotatably mounted in the housing; bearing means having outer and inner ends interposed between the shaft and the housing; means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing means on the shaft; a thrust ring disposed on the shaft against the outer end of the bearing means and having' limited axial vmovement relae tive to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the thrust ring relative to the shaft; an annular member with external ,threads disposed on the shaft adjacent the thrust ring and movable axially relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the annular member relative to the shaft; a circumferential groove in the shaft and a segmented ring disposed in the groove so as to bear against the threaded annular member, the outer diameter of the segmented ring being less than the maximum outer diameter of the annular member; and a nut threadedly mounted on the annular member and adapted to abut the thrust ring to force the latter against the outer end of the bearing, the nut extending over at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limit the outer radial movement of its segments.

8. A device of the type described, comprising a supporting housing; a shaft having an outer end rotatably mounted in the housing; bearing means having outer and inner ends interposed between the shaft and the housing; means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing means on the shaft; a lthrust ring disposed on the shaft against the outer end of the bearing means and having limited axial movement relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of Ithe thrust ring relative to the shaft; an annular member with external threads disposed on the shaft adjacent the thrust ring and movable axially relative tothe shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the annular member relative to the shaft; a circumferential groove in the shaft and a segmented ring disposed in the groove so as to bear against the threaded annular member, the outer diameter of the segmented ring being less than the maximum outer diameter of the annular member; a nut threadedly mounted on the annular member and adapted to abut the thrust ring to force the latter against the outer end of the bearing, the nut extending over at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limit the outer radial movement of its segments; and means for selectively locking together the nut and the thrust ring to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the threaded annular member.

9. A device of the type described, comprising a supporting housing; a shaft having an outer end rotatably mounted in the housing; bearing means having outer and inner ends interposed between the shaft and the housing; means limiting the inward axial movement of the bearing means on the shaft; a thrust ring disposed on the shaft against the outer end of the bearing means and having limited axial movement relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the thrust ring relative to the shaft; an annular member With external threads disposed on the shaft adjacent the thrust ring and movable axially relative to the shaft; means preventing rotational movement of the annular member relative to the shaft; a circumferential groove in the shaft and a segmented ring disposed in the groove so as to bear against the -threaded annular member, the outer diameter of the segmented ring being less than the maxi mum outer diameter of the annular member; a nut threadedly mounted on the annular member and adapted Ito abut the thrust ring to force the latter against the outer end of the bearing, the nut extending over at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the segmented ring so as to limi-t the outer radial movement of its segments; the thrust ring containing a plurality of spaced cavities in its outer face, and the nut containing a plurality of spaced internally threaded passageways adjacent its outer periphery which are in alignment with said cavities; and bolts threadedly disposed in said passageways and having the inner ends thereof projecting into the cavities so as to prevent rotation of the nut relative to the thrust ring.

WILLIAM J. CHIEVI'IZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,579,737 Sweet Apr. 6, 1926 1,813,315 Peterman July 7, 1931 2,113,017 Deschamps Apr. 5, 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 459,265 Great Britain Jan. 5, 1937 

